Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Thirty Meter Telescope News

As I've mentioned previously, Canada is a equal (25%) partner in the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Project. The TMT is the world's most ambitious optical telescope project and we can expect the first science images from the telescope in about 2015.

The TMT Project publishes monthly electronic "Newscasts" which cover various aspects of the project. The August issue covers a range of topics including science, technical and management. One article describes how the Project is undergoing a huge cost estimating exercise. The goal is to come up with an accurate cost estimate for the telescope and to have this estimate reviewed by experts later this year.

The cover of TIME Magazine declares "How the Stars Were Born" and the accompanying article features TMT Board member Richard Ellis. TMT will greatly enhance our understanding how stars, and galaxies, are born.

This issue of the TMT Newscast includes a Q&A with Dr. David Crampton who is the Instruments Group Leader for TMT and is also the Head of Instrumentation at HIA.